Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Supports Mind in Mid Herts to Open Alon’s Wellbeing Centre in Hatfield Town

The service will run from a council owned unit at 56 Town Centre, Hatfield, AL10 0JJ to MiMH, which will offer day services on weekdays and a Nightlight Crisis Café on weekends and Mondays from 7 PM to 1 AM.

Alon’s Wellbeing Centre is a new facility that has been named in memory of Alon, a young man who tragically took his own life on Christmas Day in 2016. His parents, Ehud and Shlomit Eliashar, have made a generous donation to MiMH to ensure that others in the community have access to crucial mental health support, fulfilling their vision that no one should feel alone in their struggles.

The Centre was officially opened on Wednesday 24 January with the launch attended by the Eliashar family, the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Cllr Pankit Shah, Oaklands College, and the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, staff and trustees of Mind in Mid Herts, among other supporters, highlighting the importance of mental health in the community.

The centre is a collaborative effort between MiMH and Herts Mind Network, who share a commitment to mental health support in the county. The centre has received a Capital Grant from NHS England Urgent Emergency Care, which has enabled the partnership to open the Nightlight Crisis Café. This service provides a safe and welcoming space for people experiencing a mental health crisis or distress and can be accessed by calling HMN Nightlight service on 01923 256391.

The establishment of Alon’s Wellbeing Centre is a significant step towards MiMH’s future ambition to create Alon’s House - a centre of excellence that will provide comprehensive support for those reaching out with mental health concerns, operating both day and evening services seven days a week. The strategic location in Hatfield, central to most of Hertfordshire, will enable maximum accessibility for individuals seeking help.

Cllr Pankit Shah, Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, said:

“Our shared commitment to mental health is not just a duty, but a collective responsibility that defines the strength and resilience of our community. This centre will deliver services for people experiencing a mental health crisis and those in need of support, ensuring no one feels alone when they need help. As the mayor of this incredible community, I am proud to be supportive of an organisation that values the mental health of every individual.”

Sharn Tomlinson, CEO of MiMH, commented: "We are so proud of this new centre, which is so easy and accessible for people to get to. It makes so much sense for us to be located on the high street normalising the conversation about mental health”.

“It’s amazing. We’ve been waiting for this day a long, long time, and it’s only the first step because, in the end, we’ll get to the main centre. That’s what we’re hoping for.” Says Ehud, Alon’s Father. “Mind In Mid Herts means a lot to us as Shlomit volunteered for a few years before we lost Alon. It’s a place that does marvellous things. The things that happen there and the things they do for people of all sorts of ages and helping them in a variety of ways is amazing. And we couldn’t find a better place to want to try and make something that will commemorate Alon.”

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is committed to supporting the wellbeing of its residents and is pleased to partner with MiMH to provide this vital service in Hatfield Town Centre. The council encourages anyone who is struggling with their mental health to reach out to Alon’s Wellbeing Centre or the Nightlight Crisis Café for support and guidance.

For more information about Alon’s Wellbeing Centre, please visit their website or call 01707 326065.